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Kurtzman &amp; Orci Are Under 'Locke &amp; Key'

Writers and producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are two of the most popular in the business right now. After writing the scripts for two of 2009's biggest movies, Transformers 2 and Star Trek, as well as having a host of producing and writing duties (including recently inking a deal with Fox TV), the duo have somehow found the time and energy to produce an adaptation of the comic series Locke & Key.

No, it doesn't have anything to do with Lost. Don't worry, I thought it did too...

According to Latino Review and their source "Pinche Taco," the rights to the comic written by Joe Hill (son of Stephen King, FYI) has been at Dimension Films for the last two years. But money problems have caused that studio to lose the rights and now Kurtzman and Orci are set to produce through their deal at Dreamworks.

Kurtzman and Orci are listed as producers at this point so there's no word if they will be the ones to adapt Locke & Key into a screenplay. I imagine they'll be far too busy with the likes of Star Trek 2 (which they're writing along with Lost co-creator/writer Damon Lindelof) and Cowboys & Aliens, which reportedly begins production this summer. But I wouldn't die of shock if they turned out to be the ones to write the script.

In case you're not familiar with it, Locke & Key is a comic series written by Joe Hill and illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez. Here's the official synopsis from the publisher:

"Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them…. and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all...!"

Here's the trailer for the comic:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ploWij_i7Pc

This isn't the first time something by Hill has been eyed by Hollywood: His book Heart Shaped Box is already in the development process, to be directed by Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire) at Warners Bros, and his book Horns has been optioned by Manderlay Pictures. As stated, Locke & Key was set up a couple of years ago at Dimension until the studio recently lost the rights. It's being talked about as the start of a potential franchise.

The old saying goes that it's about quality rather than quantity and yet Kurtzman and Orci (Korci?) seem to be able to do both. Star Trek into Darkness and the Daniel Craig starring Cowboys & Aliens are likely to get more of the attention of any of the things they have upcoming, but that may change if Locke & Key is successful in becoming a franchise. It sounds like a strange idea and I'm extremely interested to see how it translates to the big-screen. Color me intrigued.

Do you like the sound of Locke & Key? Do you think it has franchise potential?